Assistant Project Scientist - Hartigan-O’Connor Lab

University of California; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology is hiring a full-time Project Scientist (Assistant level). The appointee will lead research on modeling immune responses to vaccines, supervise students or technicians, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and assist with grant proposals.

This role emphasizes collaborative, interdisciplinary work with independent supervision and no teaching duties, under Dr. Dennis Hartigan-O’Connor.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Immunology or Enzymology.
• At least three years of postdoctoral experience in Microbiology or Immunology.

Responsibilities

• Lead creative research on modeling immune responses to vaccines.
• Supervise students/technicians on methods development and experiments.
• Publish in peer‑reviewed journals independently or with the PI.
• Assist in writing grant proposals and budget components.

Skills

Research planning

Mentorship

Grant writing

Peer review

Education

PhD in Immunology or Enzymology

Job description

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

The University of California (UC) Davis, School of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology seeks to hire a full-time employee as a Project Scientist at the Assistant level.

The Project Scientist makes significant and creative contributions to a research or creative project in his/her academic discipline. The appointee possesses the subject matter expertise and the creative energy necessary to function at a high level of competence. The appointee will participate in activities to increase, improve, or upgrade competency. Appointees with Project Scientist series may engage in University and public service. They do not have teaching responsibilities. Although the Project Scientist is expected to work independently under the general guidance of an academic member with an independent research program (i.e., Professor, Professional Researcher, etc.), they are not required to develop an independent research program or reputation. The Project Scientist will carry out research or creative programs with supervision by an individual in an academic title that carries with it automatic Principal status. The Project Scientist does not usually serve as a Principal Investigator but may do so by exception. The incumbent will work under the supervision of Dr. Dennis Hartigan-O’Connor and have the ability to work cooperatively and collegially in a diverse environment.

1) RESEARCH (85% Effort)

Research activity (65%)
This position requires creative contributions to and collaborative development of an active research program investigating topics relevant to the research area of modeling immune responses to vaccines against infectious diseases. The candidate will help to determine research goals in consultation with the Principal Investigator, design specific projects including the selection of appropriate methods and techniques, supervise students or technicians regarding the technical aspects of the research, including methods development, trouble-shooting problems, interpreting results and planning follow up experiments.

The appointee will help to determine research goals in consultation with the Principal Investigators. The Project Scientist will design specific projects, including the selection of appropriate methods and techniques. In some cases, the appointee may supervise students or technicians regarding the technical aspects of the research, including methods development, trouble-shooting problems, interpreting results and planning follow-up experiments. The appointee collaborates with scientific colleagues in multi-disciplinary projects that include components falling within the appointee’s area of expertise.

Position duties include analyzing vaccine responses in animal models using next-approach methodologies and analyzing mechanisms contributing to failed or transient responses. The candidate must have experience in working with organoids. The candidate will publish research in peer-reviewed journals either independently or in collaboration with the PI or other members of the research team and assist in writing proposals and progress reports for funding from federal agencies or other sources. The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to their specific field and will serve as a reviewer of research proposals and scientific publications as appropriate. They will attend seminars to present research results and may give oral presentations to public and professional interest groups. They may coordinate and/or give presentations at seminars, laboratory meetings or educational functions.

Publication (15%)
The appointee will publish research in peer-reviewed journals either independently or in collaboration with the PI or other members of the research team.

Grant Acquisition (5%)
The appointee will assist in writing proposals for funding from federal and state agencies and other funding organizations. The appointee will prepare and assist in the preparation of reports as required by granting agencies and prepare modifications of budgets and other grant components as needed.

2) PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (15% Effort)

The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to his/her specific fields of immunology and metabolism instrumentation and applications and will serve as a reviewer of research proposals and scientific publications as appropriate. The candidate will attend seminars to present research results and may give oral presentations to public and professional interest groups. When appropriate, the candidate may coordinate and/or give presentations at seminars, laboratory meetings or educational functions.

3) UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (0% Effort)

• The appointee may occasionally undertake administrative tasks relevant to the smooth running of the laboratory enterprise as appropriate.

Candidates must possess a Ph.D. in Immunology or Enzymology and have at least three years' postdoctoral experience in Microbiology or Immunology.